Sony Music Philippines
Sony Music Philippines, Inc. is a record label based in the Philippines, which was founded in 1995[2] as an imprint[3] of the international music label Sony Music Entertainment and a part of its Asia-Pacific chain. After the closure of the local label caused by widespread piracy problem in the Philippines in 2012,[4] it resumed its operations in 2018.[5]
| Sony Music Philippines, Inc. | |
|---|---|
| Parent company | Sony Music Entertainment[1] |
| Founded | 1995 (first incarnation) 2018 (second incarnation) |
| Defunct | February 2012 (first incarnation) |
| Genre | Various |
| Country of origin | Philippines |
| Location | 27th Floor, IBP Tower, Julia Vargas Avenue corner Jade Drive, Ortigas Center, 1605 Pasig, Metro Manila |
History
In 1995, after OctoArts International (now PolyEast Records) signed a distribution deal with EMI, Sony Music Philippines was established with its first office at the Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong.[2] In 2005, as an after-effect of the Sony BMG merger (which happened a year earlier), it merged with Bertelsmann's local label BMG Records (Pilipinas) Inc. (itself founded in the early 1990s) to become Sony BMG Music Entertainment Philippines.[6] A few months later, its offices were transferred from the Equitable Bank Building in Cubao, Quezon City to the Taipan Place in Ortigas, Pasig for even lower taxes and better work amenities. In 2009, the label was renamed Sony Music Entertainment Philippines.
Ivory Music and Video (formerly Ivory Records) became the exclusive licensee of Sony Music's international releases in the Philippines in July 2011, and in February 2012, the label closed its office at the Taipan Place in Ortigas, Pasig due to widespread piracy.[5] This was the first time since the early 1990s (under OctoArts) that international Sony Music releases were licensed by an independent Philippine label. The distribution contract expired in early 2018.
After Sony Music Philippines re-opened in the second half of 2018, the label held a press event one year later, announcing the new roster of artists signed to them which includes Ben&Ben, The Vowels They Orbit, Alex Bruce, Syd Hartha, and the band Nathan & Mercury.[7]
In late 2019, Filipino boy band SB19 signed a recording contract with the label.[8]
Artists
Current
- Ben&Ben
- The Vowels They Orbit
- Alex Bruce
- Syd Hartha
- of Mercury (f/k/a Nathan & Mercury)
- Oh, Flamingo!
- Timothy Run
- Ace Banzuelo
- SB19
- Itchyworms
- Henyong Makata
- We Got (Soupstar Entertainment; distribution only)
- Bea Lorenzo
- Abaddon
- Nobody's Home
- Kunnns
- Plan-B
- Rico Blanco (Balcony Entertainment)
- Suzara (Bolichie and Top Suzara) (Balcony Entertainment)
- Raven Aviso (Balcony Entertainment)
- Maris Racal (Balcony Entertainment)
- Michael Bars
- Ren
- Cris Cyrus Gondra
- Sponge Cola
- Lili (Lily Gonzales)
- Nobita
- Young One (Dongalo Wreckords)
- 6cyclemind (Soupstar Entertainment; distribution only)
- Lady Mazta
- Munimuni
- KAIA
- Sharlene San Pedro (Yellow Room Music; distribution only)
- 4th Impact
OFFMUTE (sublabel)
- Clara Benin
- Young Cocoa
Waterwalk Records (sublabel)
- Morissette
- Hazel Faith
- Sam&Stell
Former
BMG Records (Pilipinas)
- Eraserheads (1989–2002; catalog now handled by Sony Music Philippines and Offshore Music)
- Ariel Rivera (1991–2009)
- Lea Salonga (1993–2012)
- Rivermaya (1994–2001; now under Star Music)
- Francis Magalona (1994–2007; died in 2009)
- J Brothers (1996-2004)
- Sharon Cuneta (2001–2005 (BMG) and 2005–2012 (Sony BMG); now under Star Music)
Sony Music Entertainment Philippines (first incarnation)
- South Border (1996–2005; now independent)
- Razorback (1997–2004; now under Hebigat Sounds Inc.)
- Ghetto Doggs (1999-2000; now defunct)
- Sandwich (1999–2003; now under PolyEast Records)
- The Dawn (2000–2004; now under Solstice Ventures Inc.)
- Kapatid (2003–2006)
- Mayonnaise (2003–2007; now under Yellow Room Music)
- Kjwan (2004–2006)
Sony BMG Music Entertainment Philippines/Sony Music Entertainment Philippines (second incarnation)
- Brownman Revival (2005–2012)
- Cueshé (2005–2012; now under Big Dipper Entertainment)
- Gloc-9 (2005–2012; now under Universal Records)
- Pupil (2005–2012; now under UMG Philippines)
- Callalily (2006–2012; now under Callalily Entertainment/Sindikato Inc./O/C Records/Viva Records)
- Gian Magdangal (2006–2010)
- Lovi Poe (2006–2010; now under ABS-CBN)
- Mau Marcelo (2006–2009)
- Moonstar88 (2007–2012; now under Soupstar Music)
- Zelle (2007–2012)
- KC Concepcion (2008–2012; now under Cornerstone Entertainment)
- Gretchen Espina (2008–2012; quit showbiz)
- Letter Day Story (2009–2012)
- Kiss Jane
- Mark Alain
- Cesar Montano
- Stephanie Dan
- Eevee
- The Opera Belles
References
- "Sony Music - Asia Pacific (APAC)". Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- "Billboard". 15 August 1998.
- "Sony Music Philippines Just Signed 5 Local Artists". Esquire Magazine PH. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
- "Sony Music succumbs to piracy, closes Philippine office". InterAksyon. News5. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
- Liwanag, Punch. "Audio Junkie: Sony Music opens shop anew in PH". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on September 15, 2018. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
- "BMG Records (Pilipinas) Inc". Discogs.
- "Sony Music Philippines reveals roster of Filipino music artists". BusinessMirror. July 28, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
- "LOOK: SB19 signs with Sony Music". PUSH.com.ph. ABS-CBN. Retrieved February 22, 2020.